Extended reality for education: Mapping current trends, challenges, and applications

The advancements in 5G technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have accelerated the integration of immersive technologies such as Extended Reality (XR) into educational practices. There is a notable scarcity of studies focusing specifically on the applications and impact of XR in academic settings. Most existing research has concentrated on AR and VR, leaving a gap in understanding the full potential of XR. Addressing these gaps and challenges is crucial for harnessing the full potential of XR in education. This study aims to map and analyze the applications, trends, and educational challenges of XR technology. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis covering XR's application in education from 2018 to 2023, analyzing 32 articles from Scopus sources. Key findings highlight XR's annual growth in research publications, with significant contributions from the United States, China, and Canada. XR enriches education by facilitating immersive simulations, real time interaction with virtual objects, and spatial manipulation in three dimensions. It fosters presence and embodiment in virtual environments, supports practical training through realistic simulations, enhances multi-sensory engagement, promotes collaborative learning environments, and improves accessibility for diverse learners. The main challenges of XR technology include high costs, technical hurdles, regulatory issues, infrastructure limitations, and the need for digital literacy and skills. Addressing these challenges, collaborative efforts among educators, researchers, and industry stakeholders are required. Such collaboration is crucial for harnessing the full potential of XR technology to revolutionize education and prepare learners for a dynamic future.